Jones said: "If we get £3m, we can do a lot of damage in the transfer window."

Cardiff had a winding-up order dismissed by the High Court last month after the club did a deal with Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs over an undisclosed debt.

The Bluebirds also reached a settlement with the Langston Corporation in December over a long-standing £15m debt while Malaysian businessman Datuk Chan Tien Ghee is a recent addition to the club's board, bringing hopes of fresh investment.

And now the play-off contenders have had their transfer kitty boosted by an estimated £3m thanks to a season ticket initiative which will see supporters get a full refund on their 2010/11 passes should Cardiff win top-flight promotion.

The Bluebirds have sold more than 10,000 season tickets for next season already - and have extended their refund deadline to 6 January - and manager Jones' squad expect to be the beneficiary of the commitment of Cardiff fans.

The Welsh club fear they could lose promising teenage right-back Adam Matthews and key midfielder Joe Ledley, who is out of contract at the end of the season, to bigger clubs.

It is the first time in my time here that we've been in this position and able to have a push by strengthening the squad in January

Cardiff City manager Dave Jones

Chief Ridsdale, though, insists Cardiff will "come out of January stronger than we went into it" as Jones looks to strengthen his frontline add another wide-man to his fourth-placed side.

But the Cardiff City Stadium boss is desperate to bolster his "problem area" as he has no fully-fit first-choice centre midfielders because Gavin Rae and Stephen McPhail are out while Wales international Ledley is carrying a hip problem that requires surgery.

"We have had an unbelievable response to the season tickets initiative," said Jones, the Championship's longest-serving manager.

"And the chairman has promised all of the money will come to us.

"The chairman has got our list of players - the ones we felt we could get and afford - and now he will try to go out and get them."

Cardiff have led the division numerous times in Jones' previous four-and-a-half years in south Wales but the team has always faded away - land missed out on a play-off spot on goal difference on the final day of last season.

"It is the first time in my time here that we've been in this position and able to have a push by strengthening the squad in January," said Jones.

"The criteria this season was get to January and be in with a shout then getting some money in to get some players in."

Former England under-21 international Ben Watson, Wigan Athletic's £2m midfielder on loan at Championship rivals Queens Park Rangers, and Republic of Ireland midfielder Reid is apparently a January target for the Bluebirds.

Jones, as usual, refused to discuss potential new recruits but admits his scouts are "keeping tabs on a lot of players."

"I'm not just after one player," said Jones.

"But if I go into the Premier League to get players, and if the money available includes wages, I will only get one player."

So the renowned wheeler-dealer - who bought Michael Chopra, Roger Johnson and Glenn Loovens on the cheap before selling them for big profits - added: "So we'll do what we've always done."

Jones only has teenager Aaron Wildig, who made his league debut earlier this month, and summer signing Solomon Taiwo as fit central midfielders - but neither are ready to become first-team regulars for the Championship play-off contenders .

Jones has also been linked with Ipswich and Irish midfielder Owen Garvan, Doncaster and Wales midfielder Brian Stock and Hull City striker Daniel Cousin.

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